About 7,000 sq.m of exhibition and display space is added to the existing 9,000 sq.m Tate Modern building. The scheme enables more of Tate’s collection to be brought out of storage and shown on a permanent basis. New exhibition spaces are added thus facilitating major loan exhibitions thus increasing the existing gallery use. Additional administrative, educational and recreational spaces are also added to serve the staff and the increasing number of visitors.

The design intention is to develop a lighting scheme for both exterior and interior which complements the architecture but focuses on the artefacts and the visitor experience; not the building itself. The New Tate Modern is an envelope of modern art and the lighting is simple, functional, embedded into the architecture and in keeping with the lighting design of the existing building. Apart from the new park and green area at the back, there is very little external lighting. The building glows from within its semipermeable brick mesh façade.

The architectural lighting and gallery lighting balances conservation issues and meets tight energy and sustainable criteria. Backlit skylights are added in some of the galleries and emphasis is given on smart lighting controls, new LED technology & adaptable use of gallery lighting.

Photos by GavriiLux